"If England fire a rifle I want to fire a cannon. If they fire a pea-shooter, I want us to be firing a bazooka."

Michael Vaughan's men approach the five-match series on a winning run stretching back seven Tests, their entire summer programme in which they beat New Zealand 3-0 and then West Indies 4-0.

But that does not impress Jennings, who also makes it clear he will not be adopting a softly-softly approach with Proteas all-rounder Jacques Kallis, one of the world's outstanding batsmen but also a potent threat as a pace bowler.

Confrontation

Kallis and Lancashire's Andrew Flintoff have had their confrontations in the past, and Jennings is demanding to see his man get the better of this personal showdown.

"Kallis must understand that he's a high-powered guy, gets paid well and wants to be the world's best all- rounder," says Jennings.

"I would rather burn Jacques out at 30 or 32, playing to the level I know he can play at, rather than drag him out to age 38 and have him firing at 50 per cent for the next 10 years.

"I don't want players hiding away. Yes, his role is a heavy one, but as an experienced player you carry that load.

"Jacques is 29. I'm going to turn on the heat, make or break him - no soft option."

Mercurial

Jennings is also leaving South Africa's mercurial opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs in no doubt as to what he expects.

"Sometimes talent is over-rated," the coach contends. "I'd rather see a guy of half the talent and double the right attitude. A bad attitude can leave you stone cold. I want a consistently solid performance with a touch of brilliance all the time.

"He's got a huge talent, probably top of the pile in South Africa. But when he has nothing in his life by not playing cricket, then maybe he'll start realising he has to do things the team way."

A key component of Jennings' recipe for success is to ensure his team all pull together under him and young South Africa captain Graeme Smith.

"I want every player - and I mean every player - respecting the captain," he said. "Smith is a breath of fresh air, a youngster who wants to walk the tightrope.

"Younger people think they can break down walls. I encourage that attitude."